Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Dulce De Leche Cupcakes

Vanilla Bean Cupcake, Filled with Dulce de Leche, Frosted with a Dulce de Leche Buttercream

I am usually not a think-ahead kind of person when it comes to cupcakes. I usually think up an idea and do it right away. Well, this recipe calls for at least 8 hours of planning ahead, the time it takes to make Dulce de Leche.

I, like a lot of people, always thought Dulce de Leche and Caramel were one in the same. However, they are actually 2 different things. Caramel is made out of heated sugar. Dulce de Leche is made out of heated sweetened milk, but they have a similar taste and texture.

Making Dulce de Leche was actually quite easy. Instead of making it the traditional way of constantly stirring a pot of milk and sugar on the stove, I put 2 cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk in a crock pot, set it on low with and 8 hour timer and went to work. When I came home, I had 2 cans of delicious Dulce de Leche, which I could literally eat with a spoon it was so good!

Step 1: Make the Dulce de Leche (you will need 8 hours). I got this idea from the Cupcake Project.

In the Crock Pot

Remove the labels from 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk

Place in a crock pot and cover completely in water. This is important, if its not covered in water, the cans will explode.

Set it on low for 8 hours and wait.

Make sure the cans are cooled before opening to reveal the goodness inside.

Yummy Dulce de Leche!

Step 2: Make the Cupcakes. I am taking this opportunity to try a recipe from my favorite blog (the Cupcake Project)

These were a very very sweet cupcake! But the recipe is definitely a keeper! Also, as ususal, this cupcake is best after refrigerating for a few hours, the Dulce de Leche stays soft and gooey and the buttercream firms up perfectly!